"The Power of Human Insights: How Microsoft and Instagram Optimize User Experiences"

Kazuki

Hatched by Kazuki

Jul 14, 2023

4 min read

0

"The Power of Human Insights: How Microsoft and Instagram Optimize User Experiences"

Introduction:

In the ever-evolving world of technology, companies like Microsoft and Instagram are constantly striving to enhance user experiences. By leveraging human insights and implementing innovative strategies, these companies have created living bodies of knowledge that optimize their platforms. This article explores Microsoft's Human Insights Library (HITS) and Instagram's algorithmic approach to content ranking. Despite their differences, both approaches emphasize the importance of understanding user preferences and providing tailored experiences.

Microsoft's Human Insights Library (HITS):

Microsoft's HITS is a comprehensive network of connected evidence and insights that research and data science teams contribute to and curate. This library serves as a repository for individual insights, recommendations, study reports, and curated collections of high-level knowledge based on user research. The connections between these nodes demonstrate the references researchers and data scientists have made, linking insights to the evidence that supports them. By using HITS, researchers and product teams can unlock their collective user experience (UX) power and gain a deeper understanding of their target audience.

Real-Time Curation for Long-Term Value:

To ensure the durability and reusability of insights, Microsoft has adopted a practice called "real-time curation." This approach integrates curation into the daily research practice, providing tools to support the process. By synthesizing insights in a way that optimizes for durability and reuse across time, Microsoft enables its teams to make informed decisions based on a foundation of valuable knowledge. This real-time curation strategy not only addresses short-term needs but also creates long-term value for the company.

Instagram's Algorithmic Approach to Content Ranking:

Unlike Microsoft's HITS, Instagram utilizes a variety of algorithms, classifiers, and processes to rank content based on user preferences. Instagram recognizes that different parts of the app serve distinct purposes for users. For example, people tend to look for their closest friends' updates in Stories, while they seek out new and exciting content in Explore. Therefore, the platform ranks content differently in various sections, tailoring the user experience based on how people engage with each feature.

Signals and Predictions to Enhance User Experience:

Instagram relies on an extensive array of signals, ranging from information about the post to the user's history of interactions, to determine content ranking. In the Feed section, Instagram prioritizes five key interactions: the likelihood of spending time on a post, commenting, liking, saving, and tapping on the profile photo. By weighing these actions, Instagram ensures that users see content aligned with their interests. Similarly, Explore utilizes signals such as likes, saves, and shares to predict user preferences accurately.

Reels: Entertaining Users with Personalized Content:

Instagram's Reels feature aims to entertain users by showcasing content from accounts they don't follow. To achieve this, Instagram focuses on predicting how likely a user is to watch a reel all the way through, like it, find it entertaining or funny, and engage with the audio page. By utilizing signals such as user activity and interaction history, Instagram curates a personalized Reels experience for each user.

Actionable Advice:

  • 1. Leverage Human Insights: Just like Microsoft, companies should invest in building a comprehensive knowledge library that traces connections between individual insights. By curating and synthesizing these insights, businesses can unlock their collective power and make informed decisions that enhance user experiences.
  • 2. Embrace Real-Time Curation: Incorporating curation into the daily research practice allows businesses to optimize the durability and reuse of insights. By actively curating and updating knowledge repositories, companies can ensure long-term value and adaptability in an ever-changing technological landscape.
  • 3. Understand User Signals: Similar to Instagram's algorithmic approach, businesses should analyze user signals to personalize their platforms. By understanding user preferences, behaviors, and interactions, companies can tailor their offerings to deliver a more engaging and relevant experience for their users.

Conclusion:

Microsoft's HITS and Instagram's algorithmic approach demonstrate the power of human insights and advanced data analysis in optimizing user experiences. By incorporating real-time curation and utilizing signals to understand user preferences, these companies have created platforms that adapt and evolve with their users' needs. By leveraging these insights and implementing actionable advice, businesses can enhance their own products and services to deliver exceptional user experiences.

Hatch New Ideas with Glasp AI 🐣

Glasp AI allows you to hatch new ideas based on your curated content. Let's curate and create with Glasp AI :)